1000 – 4:19; 4:18; 4:27; 4:34 – first two great…last two – not so sure. 🙂

Run #2 – 8 x 600s repeats with 300m recovery

2:17; 2:20; 2:28; 2:25 – going counter-clockwise around track

2:52; 2:58; 2:55; 2:56 – switched directions and had a slight incline

I learned a lot with this run. The first half was done one direction and the second the other. I turn to the right easier than I do the left. 🙂 I was really surprised on the difference in my time. I did have my fastest 200 ever! Yay!

Run #3 – 30k Citytrail race – GREAT FUN!

2:51:21 – 16.64 miles through Chattanooga! This was an amazing race through Engel Stadium, McKenzie Arena, Lookout Stadium, around the National Cemetery, Downtown Chatt and through Stringer’s Ridge as well as many other cool areas of Chattanooga. I loved every minute of it except for two…when I hit the ground two times! I was not going to let me the race get me. I was going to get the race. I felt GREAT! I loved it! It was hard but it was done and done well. We all ran it well and we proved we are ready!!! Yes, we are!

Run #4 – 2 5ks with 10 minute rest

These were not the best. My legs were tired from day before and we had a crazy run or two. We chose to run later on a Sunday evening. Darkness caught up with us and we were on a new trail in Soddy. After the first 5k we chose to go to the roads. We had a dog chase us and we chose to move our cars out of the dark parking area after finishing 1 mile and we finished the last 2 miles elsewhere. My times reflected tired legs, trail running and craziness. 🙂 Both were around 28 minutes….fun!

This ladder started with 3 x 200 but my watch didn’t update the 2 to 3 so on the 3rd was an all out 400 meters…oh boy, it hurt. 🙂 I did make up the 200 at the end. The cool thing was that all of my 200s were the same time…even with the last one being the REAL last run.

3 x 200s – :47

3 x 400s – 1:38; 1:42; 1:44

4 x 1000s – 4:34; 4:44; 4:50

This week worth of ladders were not so good compared to last week….hmmmm….rest needed. 🙂

Due to my crazy schedule last week I had to wait and do my last three runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday….fun! Rest happened beforehand…

Run #2 – (really 3 runs) – 3 5ks in one day…Friday

1st 2 5ks – identical time – 24:09 – different routes and after school – felt great! Weather was ideal!!!

3rd 5k – 23:19 – Funky Monkey 5k Glow Run – I ran this great YMCA race at 8:00 p.m. with several students and friends. Felt awesome. I was 3rd overall female and 4th overall. GREAT run!

50:12 – VERY pleased with this time due to the fact I had run 3 5ks the day before with one of them being a race. It was also a very challenging race…fun, but challenging! I won my age group! Yay! Two medals in two days!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Run #4 – 15 miles – 2:14:06 – 8:56 pace – VERY PLEASED!!!!!

I was supposed to run this at 80% of 13.1 pace – DONE and some! After 2 days of racing and 15.5 miles on my legs in 2 days…I am so pumped about this run. I am ready for Chicago. This weekend proved that to me! #ready After the 15 miler I volunteered at Ironman Chattanooga. Wow! If that wasn’t the inspiration I needed to finish Chicago strong I don’t know what is….

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We were there in support of our awesome running coach – Matt. He finished strong and did an amazing job. He finished in 13 hours and 30 minutes. 13 hours and 30 minutes…can you imagine?? NO! Wow is all I can say! WOW! He is an IRONMAN for sure…we knew it beforehand…but now he has the real title.

Then the next day I woke up to this text:

No pressure! 😉 Just kidding…just so very thankful for GREAT coaching and encouragement from one who is willing to put the work in it as well and coach by example! We are so ready!

One more week of true training and then on to the taper. We have this! God’s timing is awesome…He has led me on this journey with ups and downs for a reason. He has placed every run on the day it was supposed to be and He has allowed me to use my training to prepare me for more than Chicago – but for life. Love it!

Today when I got home this was in the mail:

IT IS REAL!!! Bib # 16402 – I can do this! I will do this! I am READY to do this! 🙂 We are ready!

Habakkuk 2:3

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Isaiah 40:31

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!